Oz need 254 in 175 balls to reach semis

NEW DELHI: Despite a dismal start, half centuries by Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne guided Sri Lanka to a fighting 253/8 in the final Champions Trophy Group A clash against Australia at the Oval.

Points Table | Scorecard

Though the total look modest, Australia need to cross it in 29.1 overs to make a place in semifinal.

Jayawardene stayed unbeaten at 84, while Thirimanne chipped in with a gritty 57.

For Australia, Mitchell Johnson claimed three wickets while Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner and Clin McKay dismissed one batsman each.

Sri Lanka started badly after being invited to bat as they were struggling at 20/2 by Australia in four overs.

After losing Kusal Perera in the first over, Sri Lanka suffered another blow as Clint McKay got Kumar Sangakkara (3) caught by Glenn Maxwell.

Mitchell Johnson gave early breakthrough to Australia by dismissing opener Kusal Perera.

Perera (4) was trapped leg before by Johnson. Despite confusion, Perera didn't referred to third umpire and walked back leaving Australia jubilant.

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne then steadied Sri Lanka.

Spinner Xavier Doherty gave Australia crucial breakthrough by dismissing Dilshan after a steady stand of 72 runs for the third wicket and reduced Sri Lanka 92/3 in 23 overs.

Pacer Mitchell Johnson struck again to get rid of Lahiru Thirimanne after his gritty half-ton, giving Sri Lanka fourth blow at the score of 128 in the 32nd over.

Thirimanne pulled Johnson's short of length delivery straight to Watson at mid-wicket after making 57 off 86 deliveries. He reached his half-ton just after the dismissal of Tillakaratne Dilshan to take Sri Lanka past 100.

James Faulkner gave his side fifth success by bowling out Lankan skipper Angelo Matthews just after they crossed 150-mark. Matthews' s (12) dismissal reduced Sri Lanka to 159/5 in 37 overs.

Both teams remain unchanged.

A win will seal Sri Lanka's place in the last four while a defeat will see them go home.

Australia: Shane Watson, Matthew Wade, Philip Hughes, George Bailey(c), AC Voges, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty

Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews(c), HDRL Thirimanne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, RMS Eranga, Lasith Malinga

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Shweta Pandey

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